Modern Coast busses owner killed in Mombasa

July 12, 2014 10:01 am

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By CORRESPONDENT, The businessman’s vehicle was sprayed with bullets just outside Changamwe police station, killing him instantly. Photo/CORRESPONDENT.MOMBASA, Kenya July 12 – A prominent Mombasa tycoon accused of funding terror activities was shot dead by unknown gunmen on Friday night, police said, and urged the public to volunteer information on the killing.

Shahid Batt, the proprietor of Modern Coast Bus Company was gunned down while driving from the airport while accompanied by his son who survived the shooting.

“We have opened up an investigation into this incident, the businessman was shot while driving near a police station and we don’t know who shot him dead,” Mombasa County commander Robert Kitur told reporters of the incident that occurred just outside Changamwe Police station.

The shooting prompted officers at the station to open fire as they tried to pursue the gangsters who were shooting in the air while fleeing—sending panic that the station was under attack.

“The police station was not under attack at all,” Kitur said.

Butt was arrested late last year in the wake of radicalization of youths in the coast and freed on Sh100,000 cash bail, pending investigation, after he was accused of supporting terror activities.
He has previously denied the claims and accused the police of victimizing him.

Salim Sumar, a relative of the deceased demanded the government to investigate the murder and apprehend those behind the killing.

“His murder is major blow to the business community and Muslim community, it must be thoroughly investigated,” he said.

Witnesses told police that the businessman was shot by armed men who surrounded his vehicle, before shooting him dead, just as he approached the police station.

He had gone to the airport to pick up his son who had arrived from an overseas trip, according to the family.